Anti-discrimination ordinance in Cebu City public hearing today

A PUBLIC hearing on a proposed anti-discrimination ordinance will be held by the Cebu City Council in its 9 a.m. session today.

The draft ordinance authored by Councilor Alvin Dizon declares as unlawful the refusal to provide access to any public program and services on the basis of gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and religion.

Dizon’s draft ordinance said this ordinance was needed to provide equal opportunities to city residents.

It said the Cebu City Federation of Persons with Disabilities documented 50 cases of discriminations in the city.

The Commission on Human Rights; the Phil. Alliance of Human Advocates; the Rainbow Rights; and the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender crime watch have listed an average of 27 murder cases in 2011 against  their members.

But it was not specified how many of these cases were reported in Cebu City.

Dizon said he invited various personalities to appear before the council during the hearing.

He said he also expected representatives from the women’s sector and HIV patients groups to be present today.

Among those who signified interest were media personalties Tricia Ilaya and Jude Bacalso, Southwestern University Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Catalino Abos, Southwestern University and Patrick Ty, spokesperson of the Rainbow Coalition.

If the ordinance is  approved, violators will be penalized with a fine of P1,000 to P5,000 or imprisonment of  60 days to  one year.

Co-sponsors of Dizon’s draft ordinance include Councilors Margot Osmeña, Nida Cabrera, Lea Japson, John Philip Po II and Augustus Pe Jr.

The Cebu City Women and Family Affairs Commission and the Department of Social Welfare and Services will be tasked to implement the anti-discrimination ordinance. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac